will headlight moisture ruin new bulbs?

[d_benet]

Apologies if this is a dumb question:
I'm getting some light condensation building up in both headlights but I also want to upgrade bulbs to something brighter than OEM for a trip coming up. I'm thinking about the PIAA XTreme White Plus or Night Tech, but at that price I'm worried about the moisture ruining the new bulbs. Should I do the bake and reseal before installing the new bulbs? Also, is there a sticky on this? I see lots of different threads about this and I'm not sure what best method is. Thanks

 

[vipergrhd]

Yup

No matter what type bulb you install the moisture inside will shorten the life of the bulb, by how much I really don't know. My right headlamp is starting to build moisture inside and I'm considering just getting a good used OE unit.

 

[I_bRAD]

Apologies if this is a dumb question:
I'm getting some light condensation building up in both headlights but I also want to upgrade bulbs to something brighter than OEM for a trip coming up. I'm thinking about the PIAA XTreme White Plus or Night Tech, but at that price I'm worried about the moisture ruining the new bulbs. Should I do the bake and reseal before installing the new bulbs? Also, is there a sticky on this? I see lots of different threads about this and I'm not sure what best method is. Thanks

Don't agree with non spec bulbs, but as far as the condensation goes you need to make sure it's sealed AND vented. Not sure how the factory lamps are vented but a typical way is a gore membrane which allows for thermal expansion inside the lamp, but will not allow the headlight to pull moist air back into the lamp as it cools.

Easiest way to check the seal for a layman is to run an air line into the lamp (seal it with putty) and then dunk it under water. If it bubbles, it isn't sealed.